Our Favorite Labor Day Weekend Getaways
August 23, 2022
The Labor Day long weekend is looming but it’s not too late to make last-minute vacation plans for a final taste of summer before fall sets in and the mayhem of the school year begins. Labor Day weekend marks the unofficial end of summer, but let’s not forget the true meaning of Labor Day.
Labor Day was created during the Industrial Revolution in the 1800s to honor and celebrate the American laborers that made up the workforce and inspire a healthier work-life balance – a major victory for Americans. It’s been a long summer, so let us honor the original spirit of Labor Day, disconnect from the daily grind, and take time off for a much-needed and memorable Labor Day weekend getaway.
Reduce the workload of planning a vacation and wind down the summer season with Xplorie. When you spend your Labor Day weekend with a participating Xplorie lodging partner, you get the added bonus of free vacation activities and tours – with a dedicated Xplorie Destination Specialist to help plan your stay!
Need some inspiration? Here’s our favorite travel destinations for Labor Day weekend with awesome places to stay, fun and festive Labor Day events, and free Xplorie activities to enhance your vacation experience.
Winter Park, Colorado
Spend an adventurous and nature-filled Labor Day weekend surrounded by the majestic peaks of the Colorado Rocky Mountains. Only 67 miles outside Denver, Winter Park is a mecca for adventurers and nature lovers with family-friendly activities that inspire quality time together in the great outdoors.
Outdoor activities range from hiking and biking alpine peaks, rafting and fly fishing gold medal waters, and horseback riding through the hills to rock climbing, ziplining, and bucket-list hot air balloon rides. Known for its epic winter sports, Winter Park Resort is equally impressive as a destination to wind down the end of summer. Labor Day activities include mini golf and disc golf, an alpine slide and zipline, a ropes course and rock climbing wall, bungee trampolines, a human maze, gold panning, the Trestle Gravity Series at the Trestle Bike Park, and scenic gondola rides to the summit.
Begin your Labor Day weekend getaway with a gondola ride, live music, and panoramic views of the Continental Divide and the Rocky Mountains while you sip (or glug!) a chilled Colorado craft beer at Sunspot Lodge Mountaintop Happy Hour.
Saturday evening brings live music at the Winter Park Village Gazebo followed by a Sunday Champagne Brunch with our Xplorie partner, Adventures Decanted, and a festive Labor Day Block Party at Cooper Creek Square in downtown Winter Park.
Whether you’re seeking a luxury slopeside condo near the Winter Park Resort activities, a contemporary loft in downtown Winter Park, or a cliffside chalet away from the crowds, you’ll find affordable luxury in the mountains with Winter Park Escapes.
Bethany Beach, Delaware
If you’re looking for a relaxing long weekend on the beach, Bethany Beach is the place to be! Nestled between Delaware Seashore State Park and Fenwick Island State Park, this small coastal town is one of the quieter Delaware Beach resorts and an idyllic destination for one last laid-back summer hurrah.
Bethany Beach is a fantastic Labor Day getaway destination filled with quaint stores, famous seafood restaurants, scenic golf courses, a laid-back and beloved beach vibe, and fun for the whole family. The one-mile stretch of sandy beaches are perfect to rent a kayak or jet ski, learn to surf, soak up the last rays of summer sun, or take a stroll on the charming boardwalk. Be sure to bring your dancing shoes for Labor Day weekend live music on Saturday and Sunday at the Bethany Beach Bandstand on the boardwalk.
Bethany Beach is quiet and peaceful – there are no amusement arcades or carnival games on the boardwalk, but a short drive on the coastal highway will get you to Fenwick Island and Ocean City with energetic attractions for the whole crew. Thunder Lagoon Waterpark is our favorite family attraction on Fenwick Island.
Switch off for the day, take a slow ride on the Lazy River, play in the pools, and have quality time and loads of fun with the kids at the waterpark. Fancy a cruise, banana boat road or perhaps a parasailing trip above the coastline? Head to Ocean City where you’ll find more thrilling activities and attractions before heading back to the peace and quiet of your Bethany Beach vacation home.
Gulf Shores, Alabama
The Alabama Gulf Coast is the ultimate beach destination for a Labor Day weekend getaway. Serene back bays for dolphin cruises and fishing charters, lagoons and lakes for kayaking, waterfront restaurants with views, and miles of sugar white sand beaches and glistening emerald-green water along the Gulf of Mexico.
Whether you’re seeking quiet seclusion away from work (and life!) or quality family time at the beach with a mix of fun activities, nature experiences, and downtime in the sun, sand, and surf – Gulf Shores delivers! Plan quintessential water activities like banana boat rides, jet ski tours, parasailing, and surfing, spot resident sea turtles and dolphins from the beach (or take a tour!), escape into undisturbed coastal habitats at a local wildlife refuge, or treat the kids to up-close animal encounters at the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo, “The Little Zoo That Could”.
Wind down quickly from work with Friday night live music and chilled vibes on the waterfront at The Wharf Amphitheater in Orange Beach or stay local and head to the legendary Hangout for live music on the beach. Saturday brings a full day of Labor Day festivities with our Xplorie partner, Tropical Falls at OWA.
Labor Day events begin at 7:30AM with Wake Jam at the Gravity Island Watersports Wake Park, followed by the OWA Labor Day Car Show, an Adult Paint & Sip Party, Legends in Concert live music, and an epic grand finale of musical Labor Day fireworks.
After all this activity, you’ll be happy to put your feet up at Martinique on the Gulf, a quintessential beach resort on the Fort Morgan peninsula. With cozy cottages, luxury condos, private vacation homes, and amazing resort amenities, it’s a perfect escape for quiet seclusion and quality family time.
